PopCap planning huge bash for new “Bejeweled” release

Seattle-based PopCap is throwing a huge party for a new version of “Bejeweled,” the breakout hit that raised the stature of the Seattle-centric casual games industry.

“Bejeweled Twist” will be unveiled at the invite-only Oct. 27 launch event at the Experience Music Project. It will then be available for download, initially only from PopCap, for $19.95.

Since it was launched in 2000, more than 350 million copies of the Bejeweld franchise have been downloaded from the Web and “tens of millions” of copies have been installed on mobile phones, according to PopCap.

“Bejeweled Twist” has been in development for three years “and will bring a completely new perspective to the ‘Match-3’ genre of puzzle games that the original Bejeweled pioneered eight years ago,” the company said in its announcement.

“We spent a long time conceiving and prototyping a totally new direction for Bejeweled Twist,” co-founder Jason Kapalka said in the release. “The game will be immediately recognizable to Bejeweled fans, and as accessible as earlier titles in the series, but with far more depth and flexibility. Previous versions of Bejeweled appealed to a pretty broad audience, but we’re confident Bejeweled Twist will offer a compelling experience for everyone, from the novice gamer to the seriously hardcore player.”

At the other end of the spectrum, there’s an Oct. 10 exhibition in Bellevue showcasing independent games, hosted by IndieCade. The public’s welcome, but tickets are $250.

Brier Dudley offers a critical look at technology and business issues affecting the Northwest. Send tips or comments to bdudley@seattletimes.com. His column runs Monday, and his commentary appears here all week.